Heated debate over plans to build 1000 housing units in Clondalkin
By Maurice Garvey
PLANS to put 1,000 houses in Clondalkin out to tender have been set back for a special meeting, after discussions became heated during a debate at the South Dublin County Council meeting on Monday.
Whilst delivering a proposal for 108 new social housing units in Kilcarberry, the council also asked members for approval to proceed with a separate plan for 1,000 private and social homes on wasteland in the same Grange/Kilcarberry area.
This caused a lot of consternation for a number of councillors, who were completely unaware that a development of this massive scale was to be voted on, or even on the agenda.
SDCC Chief Executive Daniel McLoughlin hoped to put plans for 1,000 houses (which includes 300 social houses) out to tender in ten days.
The proposal is to sell the land to a developer, and the council can use the money for 300 social houses to re-invest in local housing.
The 108 houses, is scheduled to be a project led by Dublin City Council, with SDCC handing a 25-year lease over to a company.
Councillors were divided with Independents, Sinn Féin, Solidarity, and PBP members citing a lack of information.
In contrast, Fine Gael, Independents and Labour councillors stated members had been given briefings at previous Housing SPC/area meetings, and that they should proceed.
Billy Coman, SDCC Director of Housing said the joint venture would see SDCC retain control over nomination rights, setting rates for tenants, and the land will remain under control of the local authority, including aspects like anti-social behavior.
“Our job is to provide as many houses as possible. This is a mechanism to access funds.” said Mr Coman.
Mr McLoughlin was concerned that the lack of understanding will end up costing the council more if the debate continues in a month’s time.
“We asked to be involved, Fingal didn’t get picked, the best sites were picked for this,” said Mr McLoughlin.
“I’m curious as to why we are second guessing – if this council is ideologically opposed, we will move away from this.”
Independent Councillor Dermot Looney said the vote needs to go to a special SPC.
Cllr Looney said: “This is a major decision. I appreciate Housing SPC briefings and area committee briefings, but you need all 40 councillors present to make a decision.
“You can’t expect to give us 10 minutes to vote on this. We haven’t seen the nitty gritty of the details. This is one of the biggest housing schemes in the area for 20 years.”
“I’m very concerned at the privatisation of social housing. The council used to build houses and rent them, which is something they are moving away from in previous years. The worry is that they are coming to us so underprepared for a major decision.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Mark Ward said he was questioning “value for money” and why the project was being handed over to a private company.
PBP Councillor Nicky Coules raised concerns that the “council can borrow rates below two per cent and private capital is believed to be in the order of six per cent.”
Cllr Looney felt the figure could be higher over 25 years leading to the cost being covered by the taxpayer.
Solidarity Cllr Mick Murphy said “too many bad mistakes” have been made on PPP sites in the past and felt the project should go in as a Part 8.
Labour Councillor Breda Bonner shared reservations with colleagues but said the project “needs to go ahead” to provide housing.
Fine Gael Councillor Emer Higgins appreciated members were at a disadvantage with time constraints but said she did “not see the proposal as confusing.”
Fine Gael Councillor Brian Lawlor accused PBP and Sinn Féin of “stalling 1,000 houses.”
“We should greenlight houses and not put the handbrake on this,” said Cllr Lawlor.
“They want every house to be in control of the council, but we already have 11 Part 8 projects underway.”
A special meeting is to be scheduled within the next 10 days.
